Rio De Janeiro Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Rio de Janeiro
Your gay Rio de Janeiro vacation
The Marvelous City should be squarely on the map of any gay world traveler. Bronzed muscle men prance up and down the gorgeous beaches wearing barely anything, as the dramatic backdrop of jutting verdant mountains looms in the background. For lesbian travelers, the women are just as luscious. Rio now has a renovated airport, a fast new highway to the city, and spruced-up parks and cleaned-up streets. The whole place oozes a casual vibe of sensuality, with a thumping samba beat as the soundtrack.
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay Rio De Janeiro hotels
Hotel Olinda Rio
Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Hotel Marina All Suites
Relais & Chateaux Hotel Santa Teresa
Sheraton Rio Hotel and Resort
Ipanema Plaza
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Rio De Janeiro highlights
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World landmarks
Of course there are the world-renowned sites: the rocky peak of Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf), the enormous statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) opening his arms high above the city, the Carmen Miranda museum featuring costumes of the Rio native, and the teeming Tijuca National Forest behind the city, said to be the largest urban forest in the world.
To the market
And don’t forget to browse through a feira livre, an open-air food market that sells an incredible variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. (The gayest market happens on Fridays at Praca Nossa Senhora da Paz in Ipanema.)
Rio’s gayborhood
The gayest part of Rio is the section of Ipanema called “Farme Gay” beach between Rua Farme de Amoedo and Rua Teixeira de Melo. Behind the beach, Rua Farme de Amoedo is the gayest street in town, with gay-popular restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and bookstores. The other gay sunning area is on the huge Copacabana Beach, at the foot of Rua Fernandes Mendes in front of the stately Copacabana Palace Hotel -- where you’ll even see transvestites joining the beach scene under rainbow flags.
Carnival
Of the many celebrations and events surrounding Carnival before Easter, there’s even a gay (and straight-popular) ball called O Grande Gala Gay at Scala in downtown. A traditional samba hall called Elite promotes other popular gay balls on Carnival Sunday and Monday. Gay neighborhood street parades include Banda de Ipanema and Banda da Carmen Miranda, which snake through Ipanema.
New Years
If you can’t make it for Carnival, then plan a New Year’s trip. Millions of city residents usher in the year by wearing white and rushing into the waves at midnight, throwing rose petals. It’s just as vibrant a scene as Carnival itself.
Rio’s Pride
Rio’s gay pride happens in later October or early November, and there are also periodic circuit pool parties throughout the year called Revolution. Needless to say, it’s hard not to have a good time in Rio.
Insider tips for Rio De Janeiro gay travel
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Don’t freak out if you don’t know Portuguese
A few words can be handy, but most Rio residents understand Spanish and, to a slightly lesser extent, English.
Rio has one of the most happening lesbian scenes in South America
There’s a lesbian dance club open almost every night of the week -- check the local gay newspaper Entre Nós for up-to-date listings.
Don’t expect any gay-exclusive hotels
Although Rio is super-popular with gays, it has no all-gay lodgings. But there are a plethora of mid- to high-end properties to choose from just steps away from Copacabana Beach, and to a lesser extent in Ipanema.